Research thoroughly, showcase personality in essays and interviews, don't procrastinate, and prepare early for standardised tests
Whether you are applying for an MBA, a master’s, an undergraduate programme or a short executive course, applying to business school is a competitive race.
We’ve asked some top stakeholders in the field to share their three key insights. To increase your chances of getting accepted to a programme, show your personality and entrepreneurial spirit in essays and interviews, and articulate your goals early in the application process. Don't wait until the last minute to apply, especially if tests like the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are required.
The first step, crucial in determining if a programme is the right fit for you, is thorough research…
Research, research, research
Understanding if a programme is the right fit for you is so important, and a lot of the time this will be a vital part of the application process. “We are looking for people who have thought about what they want to do, and why they have decided our programme is the best one for them,” highlights Craig Robinson, Programme Director of the International Management Masters at King’s Business School, King’s College London.
He emphasises the importance of first crafting a set of thoughtful questions before looking at which schools you may want to attend. These questions serve as a compass, guiding you in deciding whether a prospective school aligns with your aspirations and expectations. “How will the programme be taught, who will you be in the classroom with, how many of you will there be? These sorts of things affect your experience so it’s important to have a clear idea of what to expect.”
Most universities will offer experiences for you to understand if the course you are applying to is the right fit for you. And best of all, these tasters (whether online or in-person) may introduce you to others involved in the process, such as past students and future professors. They are not to be missed.
“The most effective way to gain authentic insights into the reality of studying a specific programme is through talking to the students who are experiencing it first-hand,” says Ian Pierson, Senior Customer Success Operations Manager at Unibuddy, who has just partnered with the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) to build direct connections between prospective students and current students, providing authentic insights into campus life, programmes, and preparation for the GMAT exam. “Whilst rankings are important to prospective students, they will also seek social proof from current students and alumni to support their decision-making.”
Show your personality
Business schools are not just accepting your grades and experience, they want to build a cohort that is diverse, full of experience, and where peers can learn from one another. “Essays and interviews are opportunities to show who you are as a person, as well as what you’ve done – to prove that you’re a viable candidate for business school,” reinforces Fernando Mora, Senior Vice President of Postgraduate Enrollment at Hult International Business School. “Don’t just talk about what you believe, talk about what you’ve done that demonstrates those beliefs.”
You may not be an entrepreneur, start-up founder, or business owner, but Mora highlights that any business school, for any programme, wants to see some entrepreneurial spirit. “Entrepreneurial traits include vision, confidence, passion, curiosity, and a willingness to be innovative… Business and adventure go hand in hand and we’re looking for people with a similar mindset who we know will thrive in our unique business school environment.”
Key here is really giving a sense of who you are in the application process, whether that be on paper or in the interview.
Don’t leave it last minute
Applying to business school isn’t a decision that can be made quickly – it takes time, research and contemplation, so it’s important not to leave it to the last minute. You should “start preparing your application as early as possible, so you don’t miss a chance to be admitted to your first-choice school just because you didn’t have enough time to prepare and get a high score on the GMAT or to add some required experience to your CV to make your profile stand out.”, says Lana Silantyeva, Co-Founder at the 700+Club – an international admissions and test prep centre.
Leaving your application to business school until the last minute is risky, especially when considering the significant weight placed on standardised tests like the GMAT. Achieving a competitive score on the GMAT not only increases your chances of acceptance but also gives you confidence in meeting the academic rigour of business school. Keep in mind that when preparing for the exam, you will be honing your decision making and reasoning skills.
“We understand how important it is for many business school applicants to perform well on the GMAT and we have recently made improvements to the exam to make the test-taking experience more efficient and flexible for the candidate,” said Nalisha Patel, regional director for Europe at GMAC, administrator of the exam. “The test is also now more relevant, assessing a candidate’s skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analytics, all areas that not only schools but also employers are looking for in future business school graduates.”
Applying to business school isn’t a decision to take lightly. Not sure if the programme you’re applying to is the right fit for you? Take your time in making that decision, because you might just find one that is even more of a perfect fit. And when you find one that you’re especially excited and passionate for, no doubt your personality will come through far easier.